Germany Student Visa Requirement Guidelines for International Students

Last Updated: May 11, 2023

4 minutes read

Germany Student Visa Requirement Guidelines for International Students

Germany Student Visa Requirement – Germany Student Visa is one of the most simple visas to obtain. Any international student who wishes to pursue his/her studies in Germany should not be concerned since it’s very simple to apply for a German student Visa.

What You Should Know About Germany Student Visa Requirement

Table Of Contents hide

1 What You Should Know About Germany Student Visa Requirement

2 What Type of Visa Do I Need to Study in Germany?

3 Germany Student Visa Requirements

3.1 How to Apply for the Germany Student Visa

4 Processing Time for a Germany Student Visa

5 Germany Student Visa Fee?

5.1 How to Get My Student Residence Permit in Germany Once I Arrive?

The study process in Germany as in every other nation will require certain actions, documents, and things you must complete. This checklist will help identify what is required from you to do with what you have to be aware of.

German Student Visa does not require you to have a Health Insurance
Depending on the school, you may be required to get an English test. But be rest assured that many schools do not need Nigerians to undergo language tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
You will need to provide a Proof of Funding during your program which is about 750 Euro/Month
You will also need to first APPLY FOR ADMISSION from your university of choice
After Admission or you have enrolled then proceed to apply for the Student Visa
You must pay the Student Visa Fee
you must pay a yearly resident permit of about 110 Euro/Month

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What Type of Visa Do I Need to Study in Germany?

Based on the reason for your trip, you will have to apply for a proper visa for Germany. If your trip to Germany is for educational purposes and long-term, then you aren’t qualified for the Schengen Visa Short-term (C Visa). However, you’ll have submitted an application for Germany National Visa (D Visa), which is longer-term.

In addition, depending on the circumstances of your study program, you should keep in mind that there are three types of German Student visas:

Language Course Visa. German Language Courses lasting from 3 months to 1 year.

Student Applicant Visa. If you still haven’t gotten a formal admission letter from the university you applied to or you need to enter entrance examinations offered by the university. It is valid for 3 months with the possibility of extending to 6 months.

Student Visa. This is a long-term visa if you have been accepted to a German university. Keep in mind to register with the Alien Registration Office in the German city you’re residing in within two weeks of your arrival so you can obtain your Residence Permit.

Germany Student Visa Requirements

In order to obtain a German student visa, you must meet the following requirements:

Two filled out and signed national visa forms.
Your valid national passport.
Two photocopies of your passport.
Birth certificate.
Marriage certificate (if married).
Child’s certificate (if you have children).
Two recently taken biometric portrait photographs.
Photocopies of previous German residence titles. (If you have been to Germany before).
Previous Schengen Visa.
Previous Resident Permit.
Proof of Financial Resources. You should meet the financial requirements in order to be granted your German student visa. Depending on your circumstances, you should have one of the following:
- - Blocked Bank Account. You can open a blocked bank account online through Fintiba, accepted by German Embassies and Consulates throughout the world.
- Letter of commitment. You can get this from a person living in Germany who shows they will be covering your accommodation or other living costs.
- Letter of declaration. Through this, your parents show they will be providing you with financial support during your stay.
- Scholarship certificate. If you have a scholarship award, the certificate should show what the scholarship will cover and that you are the receiver of that financial coverage.

Proof of Admission (it can be one of the following).
- University admission letter.
- Letter of admission in foundation/propaedeutic/German language course.

Original certificates of previous education.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Motivational Letter. Explain why you have chosen this degree programme as well as your future plans.
Travel Health Insurance. (covering the period from your departure to the date of enrolment at the German university – approx. 3 months).
- Students aged 29 and younger can benefit from free travel health insurance for up to 31 days, offered by German Student Insurance, as of March 5, 2020.
- Students aged 30 and older, Language Students, Interns as well as Doctoral Students should take EDUCARE24 by DR-WALTER. The health insurance product EDUCARE24 is both affordable and qualitative, and it is recognized by German Embassies and Consulates worldwide.
Proof you have paid the visa application fee.
Proof of German language proficiency. (For German or mixed-language programmes).
Proof of English language proficiency. (For English or mixed-language programmes).

Please note that the German Embassies and Consulates reserve the right to ask for additional documents or the verification of certificates.

How to Apply for the Germany Student Visa

The application process is pretty simple if you have all the required documents. However, you should make sure to go prepared.

Go to the German Embassy or Consulate in your country. Locate the German Embassy in your country and go there to submit your application. You should go there and ask for more information on the application process and set up an appointment.

If there is no German Embassy in your country, then go to the German Embassy/Consulate in a neighboring country or application center where the German authorities have outsourced the visa applications to.

Review all the required documents. Before you go to your appointment, make sure you have all the documents ready. You can find specific document requirements for your country on the official websites of German Embassies.

Prepare for the visa interview. Make sure you prepare for the German student visa interview by looking up common interview questions online. In addition, you should have the visa application fee payment confirmation with you at the time of the interview.

Processing Time for a Germany Student Visa

The processing time for a German student visa can usually take up to 25 days. However, it also depends on the German Embassy as well as the country you’re applying from. In some instances, it may also take up to 6-12 weeks, with the longest processing time being 3 months.

Germany Student Visa Fee?

The German student visa fee is €75 and must be paid by a bank transfer. Cheques or credit cards are not accepted. The money order must be in the name of the German Embassy/Consulate in your home country and not older than two months.

How to Get My Student Residence Permit in Germany Once I Arrive?

Getting your Student Residence Permit is an essential step once you arrive in Germany. Make sure to go through the following steps carefully:

Register your address in Germany. Register your address with the local residents’ registration office closest to your home in Germany. Afterwards, you’ll receive the confirmation of registration “Meldebescheinigung”.
Set an appointment with the Immigration Authorities closest to you. When you go to set an appointment, you should acquire an application form.
Bring the necessary documents on the day of the interview. The documents you will be needing on the day of the interview are:
- Standard required documents for a student residence permit. (Including the filled out application form and registration confirmation letter).
- Proof of admission/enrollment in your study programme.
- Original certificates of earlier education.
- Registered address in Germany.
- Proof of Health insurance.
- Proof of financial means (any of the following):
  - Blocked bank account
  - Letter of Commitment
  - Scholarship Award.